Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has welcomed the publication of the revised National Development Plan (NDP).

The government yesterday (Tuesday, July 22) unveiled the revised NDP which will see a total investment of €275.4 billion from 2026 to 2035.

Under the revised plan the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's (DAFM's) new five-year capital allocation will stand at €1.625 billion.

Minister Heydon said that the NDP will support economic, social and environmental development in our rural and coastal communities.

“The NDP allocation that I secured for my department will contribute to improved competitiveness, including through research and innovation, capital investment at industry level to support international market diversification, and investment to meet climate and environmental obligations," he said.

Minister Heydon said that the allocation of an additional of €160 million over the period 2026-2030 will be directed to Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) and forestry.

He said that investing in TAMS is "one of the department’s key priorities over the lifetime of this government".

"This investment supports competitiveness on Irish farms, generational renewal, and crucially, supports slurry storage that will be a critical component in supporting the case for the renewal of the nitrates derogation," he added.

Last month, the minister confirmed the approval of 100% of eligible applications received under tranches 6, 7 and 8 of the TAMS 3 scheme.

However, he noted TAMS is a demand-led scheme with a defined budgetary allocation and that "it may be necessary to limit the number of approved applications per tranche".

The additional funds for forestry will fund the Forestry Windblow Reconstitution Scheme which relates to damage caused by Storms Darragh and Éowyn.

The storms damaged 25,750ha of forestry, of which 11,600ha are in private ownership.

Minister of State with responsibility for Forestry, Michael Healy-Rae said "these additional funds will support the department in addressing forestry window damage due to Storms Darragh and Éowyn".

"The Forest Windblow Taskforce that I established earlier this year has been calling for funds on this and I am delighted that this has been reflected by government in the NDP allocation to my department," he said.

Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish said the revised NDP "is needed at a time of uncertainty in relation to tariffs and geo-political events".

Additional funds will also be used to help Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley prioritise the development of Howth and Ros an Mhíl harbours.